A nationwide crackdown on monks who are breaking the law and breaking the monastic code is apparently being carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Targeting those especially who indulge in sex, scams, transvestism and politics.

Thitiraj Nhongharnpitak a police lieutenant for the CIB said that a total of 85 monks are currently being investigated over allegations that their behaviour is not in keeping with the monastic code, if they are found to have broken the rules they will be expelled from the monkhood and could face legal action.

A total of 35 monks are suspected of indulging in sexual activities while 24 are under investigation for claiming to have other worldly powers or abilities, 11 for taking part in political activism and 25 for cross dressing.

The crackdown will be happening over the next two weeks and come at a time when the Sangha Supreme Council has also issued an order to senior monks across the kingdom to improve their screening proses for those wishing to become monks.